The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), a vision of the late Chief Minister and Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Founding Member, H. L. Stoutt, continues to lead the territory in training and certification efforts following the successful accreditation by the National Council of Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Photo: VINO/File

President of HLSCC, Dr Richard E. Georges said accreditation with NCCER is a key component to the College’s strategic vision, and he was happy to congratulate the Workforce Training Division for their diligent work in making this a reality. Photo: bvi.gov.vg

President of HLSCC, Dr Richard E. Georges said, “Accreditation with NCCER is a key component to the College’s strategic vision, and I am happy to congratulate the Workforce Training Division for their diligent work in making this a reality. This development will go some way towards improving standards of training in the construction and technical trades in the Territory and we are eager to get started”.

‘Rigorous process’

According to a press release from HLSCC on October 21, 2021, to become an Accredited Training Sponsor (ATS), the Workforce Training Division at HLSCC went through a rigorous process to ensure that the institution could meet the standards that NCCER requires.

Three persons at the institution were trained in this process: Mrs Marva Wheatley-Dawson, Dean of the Workforce Training and Sponsor Representative who is certified as a Master Trainer and primary liaison between the ATS and NCCER; Mr Desmond Auguste, Acting Head of Technical Studies, Secondary Representative, and Master Trainer; and Ms Dheja Fonseca, Lecturer in Technical Studies and Master Trainer.

NCCER

As the accrediting body for the construction industry, NCCER establishes the benchmark for quality training and assessments by offering certifications in construction, electrical, plumbing, welding, and other related fields.

NCCER is a non-profit education foundation serving a broad spectrum of the construction and maintenance industries. It is supported by the participation of trade associations, contractors, schools, construction and maintenance users, pipeline operators, manufacturers, and third-party providers.

Working in partnership with various sectors of the construction and maintenance industries, NCCER has dedicated itself to developing and maintaining quality curricula and a training process that is globally recognised, standardised, portable and competency based.

NCCER has developed standards for the operation of accredited training programmes to ensure that a standardised quality education is provided for all construction and maintenance trainees.

NCCER's accreditation process assures that students and craft professionals receive quality training based on uniform standards and criteria. These standards are outlined in the NCCER Accreditation Guidelines and must be adhered to by all NCCER Accredited Training Sponsors and Accredited Assessment Centers.